Authorities say remains in barrel those of Colorado man

BAYARD, Neb. (AP) - Authorities have identified a man whose remains were found sealed inside a 55-gallon barrel in western Nebraska, and a suspect in the case has been arrested.

The remains are those of 33-year-old Pedro Adrian Dominguez, of Greeley, Colorado.

An investigator’s affidavit says Dominguez died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head. A farmer spotted the barrel floating along Red Willow Creek east of Bayard last Friday afternoon. He called the Morrill County Sheriff’s Office after opening the barrel.

Zachary Mueller, of Bridgeport, has been charged in a warrant with first-degree murder and weapons counts in the case. Mueller was arrested Saturday in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on separate charges of auto theft and leading police there on a chase.